Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville – The Picturesque Towns of the Muskoka’s
Welcome to cottage country!
The lure of the Muskoka’s, a popular destination north of Toronto, lies in the sublime beauty of secluded lakes and outdoor activities. Yet, this rural region of Central Ontario also possesses a handful of beautiful towns, some that should absolutely be visited if you have not yet taken the time. In this post we cover the three most important of these settlements; Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville.
If you would like to visit other parts of the Muskoka region, you can read my article on the city of Port Carling and its surroundings here!
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Gravenhurst
Once known as McCabes Landing and later as Sawdust City, Gravenhurst has historically been considered the gateway to the Muskoka’s. The region grew in importance when new roads were built into central Ontario during the 1850’s and the steamship industry connected ports in the Muskoka’s to Lake Simcoe in the 1860’s. The town served as a base for the Norwegian Air Force during the Second World War as well as Pow Camp for German prisoners.
Fun Fact: The conditions in the camp were excellent. This was deliberately done in order dissuade camp escapes. A swimming pool was installed and some of the prisoners were given weekend passes to work in the lumber camps. Many had local girlfriends and forged strong ties with the townsfolk.
The town is built in a grid pattern on a rocky plateau overlooking Muskoka Bay, an inlet of Lake Muskoka. This bay can best be observed from Lookout Park on the west side of town.
In that bay you will find the Muskoka Wharf, waterfront developments a collection of shops, restaurants and wharfs. The modern development replaced an old lumber and boating area. It was also the entry point to the great lakes where the train would transfer passengers to the steamboats.
These steamboats still exist and one can procure a ride in one, if they wish to do so. Find the sailing schedules online if you wish to do a boat tour. From the northern end of the dock, you will see a harbour lighthouse in the distance.
Back in town there are a few sites that you absolutely must check out. At the time of my visit the maples had turned deep shades of orange, making for a beautiful visit to the area.
The first site in town is the green painted Bethune Memorial House, a national historic site of Canada. I have mixed feelings about the place. The house belonged to a famous family of doctors, starting with Dr. Malcolm Bethune Bethume (a descendent of John Bethume). He acquired the property in 1880 to serve as the manse of Knox Presbyterian Church. His son Norman, whom the house celebrates today, is the focus of tourists that visit today. This is where my conflicting feelings lie. Norman was a famous Canadian doctor, brilliant at time, but also a communist and well… a useful idiot. Like many westerners in the post World War One Era this moron worshipped foreign communists, never meeting a far left regime he didn’t shill for, yet instead of Stalin he took interest in Republican Spain before falling for the murderous regime of Mao’s China. He was a drunk, a womanizer, a sloppy surgeon with questionable practices, and scam artist that stole from charity but he could also impress. Despite his obstinance as well as arrogance (he refused to perform amputations, looked down on others), he was experimental (for better or for worse – he would take on severe cases and give them a last shot at life, despite the risks) and he would worked fast and could train others. A Tuberculosis patient and resident of the Trudeau Sanitorium in Saranac Lake, NY, he collapsed his own lung to cure the disease. He is a complex figure for sure but not one I would go back in time to meet.
Today, the Bethune house it is a popular stop off with Chinese nationals. Chinese propaganda from the communist party has elevated him to a western hero as he served as their surgeon, and pure ideological partner, in the Chinese Eighth Army. Its a beautiful house, and worth a look, but seeing this kind of treasonous person celebrated publicly makes my blood boil. The Communist party of China has a lot of blood on their hand and they should not be celebrated Canada’s soil. To be clear, I love the wonderful Chinese people, their culture and their rich history but I dislike some of their government’s authoritarian policies.
On the main street (Muskoka Road) you will find the Sawdust City, a popular microbrewery with a giant Muskoka chair, next to the Knox Presbyterian Church. This is a great place for a noon time pint!
The main street itself is rather pretty, with the clocktowered post office besides the Arts at the Albion gallery being a showstopper.
Bracebridge
The second stop on our journey, Bracebridge took me by surprise, and I consider it to be my favorite of the three cities displayed in this post. Built around the Muskoka River, just a few kilometers downstream of Lake Muskoka. Like Gravenhust, settlement began in the 1860’s with the construction of colonization roads into northern and central Ontario. The site was chosen due to its proximity to the Bracebridge waterfall, its waterpower becoming the site of the towns first factories. This status was cemented as the Grand Trunk Railway, as well as steamships pulled into town!
You will find parking just outside of the downtown, on the east side of the Bracebridge falls. From here you can do one of three things, head north thought the woods to Woodchester, head south along the falls or head west into town. If you opt to head north you will find an octagonal building erected in 1882, the unique building is now open to visiting members of the public.
If you head south you will pass under the old steel truss railway bridge. The side slopes of the falls themselves are lined with old industrial buildings. Once of these is now occupied by a lovely local restaurant called the Riverwalk.
On display you will find an old waterwheel, now injected with water to make for a striking piece of art.
At the base of the rapids you will find a damn controlling falls where the water rusles between the crevasses of those ancient stones, welcome to Bracebridge Bay Park.
At the end of these falls the waterway widens to create a charming public space.
Back in town the town, the core is in itself the most impressive of the Muskokas. The town revolves around Manitoba Street, a formidable example of a 19th century main street. Here you will find plenty of small businesses to check out and places to stop off at for a quick bite to eat.
Huntsville
Finally, we come to Huntsville, the small center that was settled in 1869 by George Hunt. Starting as an agricultural hub, the center grew with its connection by railway to the rest of the Muskokas via Gravenhurst as well as the construction of conventional roadways. Like most of the Muskokas it became somewhat of an industrial center in the 19th century.
The city of Huntsville is bisected by the Muskoka River as it winds its way through the city’s downtown core. On each side, est and west, the town is flanked by lakes. Meanwhile the hills of the Canadian shield offer scenic vistas rising above those lakes. This is the appeal of Huntsville, its stunning geography. This being said, when you have had a chance to visit the downtown, I recommend heading out to Muskoka Heritage Park, where the old train station was located.
From the top of the park you will find the Lions Lookout, offering a fantastic view of the city below. In the fall it is almost impossible to drive up due to the crowds.
Conclusion
Although the area is popular all year round, the autumn crowds indicate just how stunning these cities are at this time a year! So put down the remote, get out of the house and get exploring!
